Cargo bracing means



Feb. 10, 1953 H. A. SJOGREN CARGO BRACING MEANS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 20. 1950 INVENTOR.

z W W H 1953 H. A. SJOGREN CARGO BRACING MEANS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 20, 1950 F el). 10, 1953 H. A SJOGREN 2,627,821

CARGO BRACING MEANS Filed March 20, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 II I/ 1 III/I l I N VEN TOR.

6273] algal cjzre z Patented Feb. 10, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

Harry Arthur Sjogren, Wauwatosa, Wis. Application March 20, 1950, Serial No. 150,603

13 Claims. (Cl. 105-369) 1 Y My invention relates to improvements in railroad cars of the box car type designed for shipping mixed freight or articles of various forms and sizes, such as automobile body parts and various kinds of commodities.

The invention has, for its object the provision of means whereby a box car interior may be .readily provided with variable supporting elements or platforms of suitable sizes for diiierent kinds of. goods whereby the car may be used for mixed kinds and/or sizes of goods and inseparate lots in a manner which enables the full capacity of the car to be used.

The invention also has for its object the provision of means which may be easily removed and stored and the car thus restored to bulk commodity hauling condition with a flush inside wall whereby the car also is adapted for hauling a granular commodity.

The objects and advantages of my invention 7 will be readily comprehended from the following detail description of the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of theinterior side wall of a railroad box type-oi car adjacent the side door opening with the near sidewall partly broken away and the-car ends andlceiling omitted; the side walls being provided with my improved means.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a platform or icommodity sup-porting cross-beam, with an intermediate portion broken away and a portion at one end of the beam in section to disclose am-anner of controllingthe extensible end of the beam. 3 Figure 3 is a transverse section of a car interior showing portions of the two side walls of the car provided with my invention with a crossbeam in place and shown in longitudinal section;

an intermediate portion being broken away.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 44 of Figure 3, looking in the-direction of the arrows and showing a second cross-beam in dotted lines.

' beam and a transverse section of a portion of a car wall, with the movable cross-beam end arranged in engagement therewith.

Figure 8 is a similar sectional view of the same end of the cross-beam, showing the movable end in retracted condition.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the same end of the cross-beam, with the movable end in extended condition.

As the invention relates to a railroad car interior of the usual box car type provided with side door openings, a showing and description of this general car construction need not be made nor entered into beyond the fact that the exemplification shows portions of a steel car main wall with sheet metal outer walls [5 and vertical metal posts, portions of which are shown at [-6 and door posts at H. The vertical posts are shown provided with wood fillers as at l8. These posts act as spacers and supports for the inner wall of the car. v

The inner wall consists of a preselected number of longitudinal metal channels l9 arranged lengthwise of the car and in predetermined vertically spaced-relation as shown in Figure 1, and the base of the channels welded or otherwise immovably secured to the vertical posts of the car. The channels l9 are arranged with the open sides facing toward the car interior and are provided with a plurality of short posts or studs 20 disposed vertically and arranged predetermined distances apart as disclosed in Figures 1 and 6 and in section in Figure 4.

The studs are preferably flash welded in the channels and arranged adjacent the edges of the channel legs or sides as more clearly shown in Figures 4 and 6, so as to leave space at the rear of the studs to provide passage for the usual metal straps employed by car loaders for tying large commodities, such as machinery, when the car is to be used for large or bulk shipping; the studs thus providing anchoring means which obviates the present practice of nailing the tiestraps to the wood inner lining of the cara method which results in destruction of the inner wall or lining of the car after a number of shipments.

The channels I9 are adapted to receive the ends of the cross-beams 2| which form supports for platforms or for more or less rigid commodities and which may be arranged at any desired 3 and also provide a chamber for receiving the end members 23, 24.

The top of the channel 22 is preferably closed by an inverted shallow channel member which is welded or otherwise immovably secured in the upper part of the outer channel member 22, as clearly shown in Figure 5, thereby materially strengthening the cross-beam or bar.

In order to prevent possible injury to the commodity that may be placed on the cross-beams, I prefer to provide the shall-ow channel 25 with a wood filler 28 which extends Slightly above the sides of the shallow channel 25 as clearly shown in Figure 5,

The ends of the hollow channel 22 are provided with the blocks or end members 23, 24 whose outer ends are kerfed to provide the bifurcations or prongs 23 24 see Figure 2, with the spacing between the prongs sufiicient to straddle or receive the posts or studs 29 of the wall channels IS.

The end block or member 23 is rigidly secured in the cross-beam 2| against movement; while the end member 24, in order to enable installation and removal of the cross-beam, is slidably arranged in the cross-beam 2| so as to permit retraction of the end member.

Suitable means are provided for actuating and for locking the end member 24 in its extended position. As an exemplification, I show the innerend of the block 24 provided with a socket forming portion 21', see Figure 2, in which a cam 28 is mounted on the inner end of the hand crank or lever 28 which extends through the side wall of the beam 2| and shown disposed longitudinally of the outer side face of the cross-beam 2|, with its free end pressed or inserted in an opening in the cross-beam 2| as shown in Figure 2 so as to hold the lever 28 more or less out of the way. As the cam 28 is of thickness slightly less than the depth of the socket, the transverse or in-and-out movement of the lever as just mentioned is possible; the lever 28 at its inner end being intimately secured to the cam 28.

As is apparent from the construction, the end block or member 24 may be retracted by simply removing the free or left hand end of lever 29 from its socket 29 and swinging the lever in clockwise direction which causes cam 28 to engage the inner or rear end wall of the socket 21, thereby forcin the end 7 block or member inwardly in the cross-beam 2| and withdrawing the end block 24 from the side-wall channel l9, which permits the opposite end of the cross-beam to be withdrawn from the sidewall channel of the opposite side wall of the car.

When it is desired to install a cross-bar or cross-beam 2|, the prongs 23 of the fixed end block or member 23 are'first inserted in the desired wall channel and at the preselected level and place, during which operation the movable or telescopically arranged end member 24 preferably is in retracted condition sufficiently to enable the second mentioned end of the cross-beam to be' moved into the horizontal plane of the first mentioned end, at which time lever 29' is swung in counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 2, thereby forcing the prongs 24 into the preselected channel of the near side wall shown in Figure 1, with prongs 2 straddling a stud 20 and thereby holding the cross-beam against shifting lengthwisely of the wall channel.

After the end 24 has been extended as described, the free end of lever 29 is pressed into the shallow socket 28 in the cross-beam as shown in Figure 4.

As the cross-beams are compelled to carry considerable weight, I prefer to employ the reenforced channel formation adapted to receive the relatively large end blocks Whose outer ends are vertically slotted to provide the various prongs 23 and 24 of comparatively large vertical dimensions.

The wall channels l9 may be secured in place in any suitable manner, as for example, by welding the base of the channel to the vertical metal posts of the car walls.

In order to provide a flush inside wall, I provide closure panels 30 between the respective channels I9; the panels 38 extend lengthwise of the car and are shown backed-up by the spacing and sealing strips 3|, which are fitted closely against the horizontal sides of the wall channels |9 and secured to the wood fillers l8 of the vertical metal posts l6, H; the sealing strips 3| being of less thickness than the width of the horizontal sides of the wall channels l9, to permit the closure panels 30 to rest on the wall channels and be disposed flush with the marginal edges of the channels |9 and thus provide a flush inside wall which will prevent grain or other granular commodity sifting intermediate the wall channels |9 and the car outer wall.

The sides of the cross-beams adjacent their ends with the movable end blocks 24, may be provided with an opening having cover plate 32, see Figure 4, to provide access to the socket 21 in the inner end of the end block 24, for the purpose of mounting the cam 28 and the lever 29. The socket 2l', as shown in Figure 2, is of sufl'icient depth and length to receive the cam 28 and permit it to swing through a vertical arc and cause the free end of the cam to engage the forward end wall of the socket and thereby force the movable end block 24 outward and also to cause the free end of the cam 28 to engage the rear wall of the socket 2! and thereby retract the end block 24 when lever 29 is moved clockwise in Figure 2.

As is apparent from the drawings, cross-beams or bars with attaching ends of considerable strength are provided, while at the same time cross-beams which may be easily installed and removed are provided which may be locked against accidental removal. It is also apparent that other methods of shifting and locking the shiftable end blocks of the cross-beams may be employed which will not interfere with the relatively close placin of the cross-beams as shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9.

In Figures 7 to 9, inclusive, I show a modification insofar as the construction of the movable end of the cross-beam is concerned, as well as the means for manipu ating and controlling the movable end.

The general construction of the rigid end of the cross-beam and the intermediate body portion thereof is similar to the cross-beam heretofore described and consists of the straight sided metal channel 22 provided at one end with an immovable end, not shown but similar to end member 23 as in the previously described exemplification, while the opposite end of the beam is provided with a movable end member 33 which is slidably mounted in a shell 34 which is immovably mounted in the end of the beam channel 22 beneath the wood filler holding shallow channel 25.

y The outer end of the end member 33 islengthwisely slotted to provide the prongs 33 spaced sufficiently to receive the studs or posts 20 (see Figure '7) in the wall channels 19 as disclosed in Figure 4 when the cross-beam is placed coincident with the posts 20.

The upper face of the end member 33, inwardly lip or end 36 of the latch member 31- which is pivotally mounted at 3B in the shallow channel 25, to move vertically.

The latch member 31 is so mounted that it will lie in the plane of the wood filler 26 in the top of the cross-beam so as not to interfere with the shifting or movement of commodities orcommodity holding trays placed on the cross-beams.

The wood filler 26 is provided with a socket 'at 39 (see Figure 9) to receive the finger depressing tail piece 37* of the latch member '31; and the tailpiece 37 is under the upward pressure of the bowed spring'dc, one end whereof is secured beneath the wood filler 25 in any suitable manner as by screws 41.

' As is apparent from Figures '7 and 8, the spring 4i! normally tilts the latch member 31 and causes its depending lip 36 to engage with teeth 35 of the movable end member 33 when the latter has moved outwardly as shown in Figures '7' and '9, or to engage the forward end of member 33 when the latter has been moved inwardly as shown in Figure 8, thereby locking the end member 33 in place when the crossbeam is out I of use.

to force the end member 33 outwardly the full length of its rack or toothed portion, or until the latch member 3? is released to engage a registering or exposed tooth. The extension or end member on its lower side intermediate the sides, see Figures 7 and 8, is shown cored for lightness.

The top of the latch member 3'! is shown provided with a wood block 43 arranged flush with the wood filler 26.

As is apparent from the construction shown in Figures '7 to 9, the cross-beam adjusts itself other lading or grain hauling condition. I, .there- -fore, surround the flanges of the wall channels,

namely, rearward of the car inner lining, with the grain sealing strips as at 44 in Figure '7; With the outer ends of the end members of the crossbeams lengthwisely slotted as shown and hereinbefore described to provide a plurality of prongs Z and 33 as shown, adjustments of the crossbeams relative to the commodity or lading may be had. That is to say, when by reason of the lading the kerf or slot at the longitudinal axis of the cross-beam cannot be aligned with the selected stud or post, one of the kerfs or slots in the beam-end at opposite sides of and adjacent the center slot may efiect interengaging relation with the selected stud or post adapted to 6 parting from the spirit of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a railway box car, horizontal channels arranged lengthwise of opposing inner walls and open toward the car interior, the channels interiorally at spaced points being provided with vertical studs; and cross-beams bridging the space between opposing walls and having ends formed to extend into the channels and to be held against movement lengthwise of the channels by said studs, at least one of the beam ends being retractible.

2. In a railway box car, a plurality of horizontal channels arranged lengthwise of opposing inner car walls, open to the car interior and in predetermined spaced relation, the channel interior being provided with vertical studs; closure panels between the vertically spaced channels arranged flush with the marginal edges of the channels; and removable cross-beams bridging the-space between opposing walls with ends formed to extend into the channels and effect interengaging relation with said studs, at least one of the beam ends being retractible.

3. In a railway box car, a plurality of horizontal channels arranged lengthwise of and secured to opposing car walls in predetermined vertical spaced relation and open 'to the car interior, the channel interiors being provided with vertical predeterminedly spaced studs; and removable cross-beams bridging the space between opposing walls, with vertically slotted ends formed to extend into the channels and straddle said studs, at least one of the ends being retractible.

4. in a box-type railway car, inner walls formed with vertically spaced channels extending horizontally and open to the car interior; vertically disposed pins in the channels at predetermined spaced distances apart lengthwise of the channels; commodity supporting cross-beams bridging the space between opposing walls and provided with lengthwisely movable end pieces provided with a plurality of laterally spaced prongs, said end pieces being insertible in said channels between the pins of the channels to support the -cross-beams in place, at least one of said-end pieces being movable longitudinally of the crossbeams; and means controllably mounted on said beams and having operative relation with said movable end whereby said end piece is locked in retracted or in extended condition.

5. In a railway box-type car whose walls are provided with vertical structural posts, aplurality of vertically spaced metal channels arranged horizontally and secured to said posts, with the open sides of the channels facing "the car interior, vertical pins intimately secured within the channels at predetermined spaced distances apart and forward of the rear inner walls of the channels; inner wall panels arranged between the respective channels; sealing means disposed between said posts and said panels at the juncture between the channels and the panels whereby the latter are held in place and closures I for the junctures provided; cross-beams bridgingthe space between opposing walls and provided with end members formed to enter said channels and to effect interengagement with said pins, at least one of said end members being movable longitudinally of the cross-beam;

and a lever operated cam arranged in the crossbeams and operable from the cross-beam exte- 7 tier, whereby the movable end member is controlled.

6. In a box-type railroad car, horizontal channels arranged lengthwise of the car inner walls in vertical spaced relation with the channels facing toward the car interior and provided at predetermined spaced apart points with vertical studs or posts, and commodity supporting crossbeams for bridging the space between opposing walls with the ends of the beams formed to extend. into the channels, at least one of said ends being retractible, spring means mounted in the cross-beams arranged to normally force the retractible end outward, and finger-operated latch means mounted on the cross-beams for locking said end in its extended or retracted positions.

7. In a box-type railroad car, comprising an inner wall with horizontally disposed channels arranged lengthwise of the car inner walls with the channels facing toward the car interior; stop means within the channels spaced predetermined distances apart lengthwise of the channels; wall panels between the vertically spaced chamiels and backer strips at the rear of said channels; commodity supporting cross-beams for bridging the space between opposing walls and provided with ends adapted to extend into the channels and vertically slotted to receive said stop means, at least one of said ends being retractile; and hand operated means pivotally secured to the cross-beam and formed to have locking engagement with said retractile end whereby the latter may be locked in its extended or retracted position.

8; In a box-type railroad car, horizontally disposed channels arranged lengthwise of the car inner walls with the channels facing toward the car interior and the channel interior provided with vertical studs or posts predeterminedly spaced apart lengthwise of the channel; commodity supporting cross-beams for bridging the space between opposing car walls and provided with vertically slotted ends arranged to fit into the channels. with the slots spaced to receive and to straddle said studs or posts or the ends adapted to fit between the studs or posts, at least one of said ends being movable into and out of the channel and provided with a rack- .like portion; and latch means secured to the cross-beam and arranged to engage with said movable end to lock the latter in retracted position and to engage the rack-like portion for locking said end in its adjusted extended positions..

' 9. In a box-type railroad car, horizontally disposed channels arranged lengthwise oi the car inner walls with the channels facing toward the car interior and the channels arranged in vertical spaced relation; means whereby lengthwise passage through the channels is interrupted at predetermined spaced points; commodity supsaid retractible end may be controlled and locked.

in extended position. 10; In. a railway box-type car, whose inner walls comprise a. plurality of horizontal, verticallyspaced channels with theiropen sides facing toward the channels. of the opposing wall, the channels being provided with predeterminedly spaced vertical posts arranged forwardly of the rear base. sides of the channels;.crossbeams bridging the space between opposing walls and having ends formed to extend into the. channels, the ends beingbifurcated to provide laterally spaced prongs adapted to receive saidposts therebetween. whereby the beams are held against shifting movement; at least one. of said ends being retractile to enable positioning of the cross-beams; and means whereby said ends are controlled from .the beam exterior.

ll. Ina. railway box-type. car, whose inner walls comprise. a. plurality. of horizontal channels arranged lengthwise of the opposing. walls in. predetermined vertical spaced relation with their open sides exposed toward the car interior, said. channels being provided with a plurality of laterally spaced vertically disposed. stopsv arrangedforwardly of the channel rear. base; crossbeams bridging the space. between opposing walls andhaving ends formed with a plurality of laterally spaced notches. to receive said stopsv and to extend intothe channels, at least one of said notched ends of the cross-beams being retractile.

12. In a box-type railroad car, a plurality of horizontally disposed channels. arranged lengthwise of the car inner walls in vertical spaced relation and with the channels facing toward the car interior, the channel interiors at predetermined spaced apart points being provided with integral vertical studs or posts; commoditysupporting cross-beams for bridging the space between opposing walls and provided with rectangular vertically slotted ends formed to extend into the channels with the slots formed to receive the posts, at least one of the ends being lengthwisely movable of the cross-beams and means consisting of a cam arranged in the crossbeams at the inner end of the movable end and a lever for controlling said cam and operable from the cross-beam exterior whereby said movable end may be shifted and locked in its retracted position.

13. In a box-type raih'oad car, horizontally disposed channels arranged lengthwise of the car inner walls with the channels facing toward the car'interior; said channels being provided with spaced vertical immovable studs; commodity-supporting cross-beams for bridging the space between opposing car walls and having ends adapted to extend into the channels and to engage said studs whereby the cross-beams are held against movement lengthwise of the channels, at least one of said ends being retractile into the cross-beams; spring means arranged in the cross-beams whereby said retractile end is normally held in extended position: and a latch member secured to the cross-beam whereby said movable end is locked in its retracted and/or extended condition.

HARRY ARTHUR SJ OGREN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED .STIATFSv PATENTS Number Name Date 2,226,667 Love Dec.-31,.1940 2,354,861 Hermann Aug. 1, 1944 2.559.240 Wiggin. July 3, 1951 

